Museum Confluence

Complex geometry no problem with blinds that can be installed at varying angles

The Musée des Confluences is part of an extensive multi-year regeneration programme: the Lyon Confluence Project. The building is a point of confluence of the public and private sphere, of open and closed spaces, as well as a meeting place and a place for study.

The building encompasses a transparent structure known as le Cristal (the Crystal). The Crystal has an extremely complex geometry that required an enormous joint design effort. A monumental free form in glass and steel, it comprises a primary glazed outer skin supported by a secondary metal structure. The outer envelope is made up of large panes of laminated glass mounted in steel frames.

Guthrie Douglas designed 40 internal tension blinds for the Musuem. The blinds were installed at varying angles to the main glass atrium for the building.

The TESS^TM 140 system which was chosen is designed to deliver reliability, discretely. Slim wire guides and flexible brackets make it easy to design into the glazing surround for near invisibility when retracted. Its single barrel mechanism keeps the fabric constantly under tension and produces a smooth, quiet travel.

Photos: © Duccio Malagamba